All Hallows Eve

[mairegal]

My co-workers/friends have been going on about Halloween for weeks now. In recent years it has become a scary ‘feast’ and very distasteful in many ways and with the emphasis on hellishness and horror, I think it is bordering on the Occult.

I want to celebrate All Saints Day at work, and wonder if you have any suggestions?
A few things I thought of are:

1. 
   *]Decorating my desk appropriately.
   *]Getting a cake, and explaining why I am celebrating Nov 1st, the day after Halloween.
   *]Dressing well, appropriate for a celebration.
   *]Taking time off to go to Mass, (not just going outside of my regular hours).
   Anything else? I really think there needs to be a counter-cultural response to Halloween, to remind people what it really is - it’s only the eve of All Saints Day, which is the real Feast.
   I get along well with my co-workers and they accept I dislike grossness etc.
   How can I do more to counter the secular? Christmas is approaching and I want to make it meaningful too for the folks at work, at least I can try - with God’s grace!
   Blessings
   Maire

 

[JohnPaulTwoToo]

Anything else?

From the Enchiridion of Indulgences:

Visit to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day (Visitatio ecclesiae vel oratorii in Commemoratione omnium fidelium defunctorum)

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of all the faithful departed, piously visit a church, a public oratory or – for those entitled to use it – a semipublic oratory.

The above indulgence can be acquired either on the day designated above or, with the consent of the Ordinary, on the preceding or following Sunday or the feast of All Saints.

The above indulgence is contained in the Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine of Indulgences, Norm 15, with account being taken of proposals made to the Sacred Penitentiary in the meantime.

In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, according to Norm 16 of the same Apostolic Constitution, that “one Our Father and the Creed be recited.”

Visit to a Cemetery (Coemeterii visitatio)

An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed.

The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.

 

[JimG]

In the English of the period of about the Elizabethan era, the Eve of the Feast of All Hallows would be “All Hallows Evening,” or, with the English habit of contracting words, “All Hallows E’en,” or just “Hallows’een.” A perfectly respectable holiday. It would be nice for the kids to dress up like saints or angels when making their rounds.

 

[airforcemom]

Until Katrina St. Bernard Catholic Church in St. Bernard, LA held an All Hallow’s Mass in the cemetery. We would start shortly before dark and we have an altar in the center of the cemetery. The people attending would buy 3-day candles that were blessed towards the end of Mass and then placed on the tombs/graves of their loved ones. The cemetery looked beautiful with all the candles lit. We started this in 1997 and can’t wait to have it again next year. Each year the number of people attending grew although there still remainded a few people who thought it was wrong. Our church will hold it first Mass following Katrina on 11/11 but there will be Mass in the cemetery on All Saints Day. The lighting of candles is an old custom. My mother told me she remembered when we lived in Germany that the cemeteries were lit for the 3 days - All Hallows, All Saints and All Souls - she thought it was better than flowers. Some of our candles would stay lit for the 3 days depending on the weather but we felt lucky if they stayed lit all night on the 31st.

 

[marymol]

? Organising something through the youth group in the church , with the blessing and approval of the pastor;

Well, there is the caution in the Scripture about not throwing pearls in front of -you know who …and there could be concern that blessed objects might be misused by some ; otherwise, halloween can be a very good occasion to treat our esp. non catholic nieghbors to the blessings of The Church ; most persons have fears of accidents , break ins etc: and of the ever present need for deeper conversion and closenesss to God and His Peace and Holiness.

Means of bringing such Godly blessings and protection is often appreciated by most .

Those small pretty goody bags which are fairly inexpensive when purchased in bulk and filled with - miraculous medal, green scapular , small bottle of holy water , blessed salt , small divine mercy image … the little ones can participate , by preparing early , by writing out few of the Scripture verses to be included in this ’ treat bag’ along with info. on websites such as this one …and the little saints passing it on …

Something that can be adopted for the ’ giving tree ’ for Christmas time too …

May the prayers of our beloved saints and angels be with us all.!

 

[marymol]

Could also be a good occasion to do ’ house cleaning ’ by getting rid of any items that might have been used in any worship of false gods or for giving them any place in our lives ; for sharing with children the harmful effects of such practices as astrology , tarrot cards etc: - as showing our lack of faith in the Power of our Lord and instead going after those powers set against His Truth !

The temptation to visit the increasing numbers of places of pagan worship - hindu temples and such also would come under this .

Any such place could be a good occasion for us to ask for forgiveness and mercy , on behalf of our ancestors as well , for all negligence in not being effective missionaries !

 

[texaspanda]

In the English of the period of about the Elizabethan era, the Eve of the Feast of All Hallows would be “All Hallows Evening,” or, with the English habit of contracting words, “All Hallows E’en,” or just “Hallows’een.” A perfectly respectable holiday. It would be nice for the kids to dress up like saints or angels when making their rounds.

This is exactly what Father Pat suggested